CTC Relaunches Kazakh Channel

MOSCOW, April 1: The
independent Russian broadcasting group CTC Media has relaunched Channel 31 in
Kazakhstan, following its acquisition of a stake in the broadcaster earlier
this year.

In February, CTC reached a
deal for a 20-percent stake in the Almaty-based Channel 31, which is the fourth-largest
broadcaster in Kazakhstan with an audience share of 7.1 percent in the second
half of 2007.

The service was relaunched
yesterday with a new schedule, programming and brand image, in line with CTC’s
own format. About 60 percent of the current programming schedule consists of
CTC content, with the remaining grid devoted to local Kazakhstan programming
and foreign fare acquired specifically for Channel 31.

The channel will broadcast
some of CTC's most popular sitcoms, such as The Nanny and Daddy's Girls, as well as CTC's original hit series Cadets. A number of well-established and newly launched
CTC shows will also air on Channel 31, including The Brainiest, Good Jokes and Just Kidding Me.
A significant amount of the airtime will be devoted to programming in the
Kazakh language.

Alexander Rodnyansky, the
CEO of CTC Media, noted: "We are pleased to commence broadcasting in
Kazakhstan, which has one of the fastest growing advertising markets in the
world. Our local partners bring more than 15 years of television experience and
will be a valuable asset as we seek to build the Channel 31 brand and
capitalize on the development of this dynamic market. With a combination of
CTC's proven Russian-language programming and local productions, we are well
positioned to enhance the channel's appeal to both viewers and
advertisers."

—By Mansha Daswani